Insights For Individuals

Right now I’m working with two senior executives strategizing their next move. And they’ve reminded me of the importance of informational interviewing. Here’s why. Too often people aren’t thorough when they think about what’s next. They limit themselves to what H.R. is proposing. Or to the jobs that are available on job boards. And often …

One Important Piece of Strategizing Your Next Move That Too Many Overlook Read More »

Monday I got back from vacation and faced a concrete wall of overwhelm. But because this is not my first rodeo, I did what I’ve learned is the absolute best course of action. I scheduled lunch with a friend, followed by a massage. “I could never take a day off after vacation!” my lunch companion …

My Favorite Trick to Blow Through Overwhelm Read More »

My colleague and mentor, Joann, is a mater public speaking coach. The first thing students do in her class is to get up, in front of everyone, and give a 3-minute speech. And I love her explanation for this.   “Think of skiing,” she says. “Someone can write out the explanation for how to ski …

The Price of Perfectionism Read More »

Last week I caught up with Theresa Spearing of Catskill Candle Company. Theresa and I worked together a few years ago. She’d been working in fragrance development at a major beauty brand and had a dream of launching a line of candles. Like for many, the pandemic set the wheels in motion. What struck me most …

When You Realize That You Are Enough Read More »

Last week I met with the board of an industry association who’ve asked me to deliver a talk on engaging their remote teams. Seems that people are attending meetings with cameras off. Also not responding in meetings because they’re actually on mute and taking a phone call (or in the bathroom, or at the grocery …

My Lightbulb Moment About Remote Work Teams Read More »

A while back, several members of a team I was coaching had an issue with the same person. They told me about the person’s frustrating behavior, how it was stressing the team and how it was making them look bad to other departments. Sounded cringy. I could see how the situation was making them avoid …

What a Little Maturity Can Do For Your Well-being Read More »

This week a client told me, “Sometimes I’m nice to my team, not because I want to, but because I know they’ll be more productive.  It feels manipulative,” she added with a coy smile. And then I said, “Here’s a secret. From that perspective, leadership IS manipulative. And that’s OK!” We hear a lot about …

An All Too Common Pitfall In Leadership Read More »

A while back I was coaching a team that was not listening to each other. The boss kept saying, “Things are great! We have a tough spell week before last, but the team rallied and we’re good!” The team’s deadpan faces didn’t look that good. I could see them IM’ing each other and chuckling, doing their …

Engage Your Team With Masterful Listening Read More »

What comes after the Great Resignation? Onboarding all the new hires.   According to “The First 90 Days,” a disturbing proportion of new hires don’t make it. That means that every person you lose could take more than one replacement before you find a fit. Recently a client, whose team is covering extra work because …

The Great Initiation – How to Avoid Onboarding Blunders Read More »

Last week my friend Karen Sachs and I had a trunk show to present her new line of handbags. We had a pretty small turnout, so I should have been disappointed. But somehow I didn’t feel that way. Why? This article on behavioral activation might explain it. Sometimes just doing something, especially in the direction of what you …

Finding the Right Resources to Support Your Team Read More »